From the 1960s onward, Ousmane Sembène was a leading figure in Senegalese cinema, and in African cinema in general. His movies frequently addressed the problems facing Senegalese society, which could reflect the problems facing the rest of the continent. His second-to-last movie was 2001's "Faat Kiné".
The protagonist is a woman raped by a professor while she was in college, leading to her father labeling her a disgrace to the family. Years later, she has become a gas station clerk and hopes that her children will have a better future. But there's something around the corner.
If you're used to typical Hollywood cinema, then you'll want to avoid this at all costs. No superheros, aliens, high action or any of that here. The focus is on Kiné, her family, and her friends as windows into modern Senegal. While Dakar is a fairly developed city, poverty abounds, although the people still try to stay upbeat.
All in all, it's a perceptive look at contradictions. Kiné is strong woman in a patriarchal society. I'd say that this would be a good introduction to African cinema. At the very least, it's a look at a culture that we don't often get to see. I recommend it.
The protagonist is a woman raped by a professor while she was in college, leading to her father labeling her a disgrace to the family. Years later, she has become a gas station clerk and hopes that her children will have a better future. But there's something around the corner.
If you're used to typical Hollywood cinema, then you'll want to avoid this at all costs. No superheros, aliens, high action or any of that here. The focus is on Kiné, her family, and her friends as windows into modern Senegal. While Dakar is a fairly developed city, poverty abounds, although the people still try to stay upbeat.
All in all, it's a perceptive look at contradictions. Kiné is strong woman in a patriarchal society. I'd say that this would be a good introduction to African cinema. At the very least, it's a look at a culture that we don't often get to see. I recommend it.